Apparatus for providing supplementary heat and moisture in textile steam processing chambers



R. P. H|GGINBOTTOM 3,024,636

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN TEXTILE STEAM PROCESSING CHAMBERS March 13, 1962 APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY HEAT AND MOISTURE Filed sept. 14, 1959 March 13, 1962 R. P. HIGGINBOTTOM 3,024,636

APPARATUS POR PROVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY HEAT ANO MOISTURE IN TEXTILE STEAM PROCESSING CHAMBERS Filed Sept. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 j fi y @MM 3,024,636 APPARATUS FOR PRGVIDING SUPPLEMENTARY HEAT AND MESTURE IN TEXTILE STEAM PROCESSHNG CHAMBERS Richard P. Higginbottom, 6659 Sherbrooke St. W., Apt. 23, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Filed Sept. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 839,840 2 Claims. (Cl. 68-5) The present arrangement relates to the steam processing of materials, textiles, plastics, etc. and more particularly to an improvement in the apparatus used for the steaming treatments of vat color prints, dyes, pads and discharge prints or the like prepared for chemical reduction processes.

It is well known that when steaming processes of this nature are carried out, it is necessary to exclude air from the steaming process chamber by passing through it a sufficient volume of saturated steam to prevent air admission into the chamber. It is also necessary to deal with the exothermic heat of the chemical reaction which in excess causes a slow-down of the reactions, leading to inferior results.

The chemical reactions commence irnrnediatell the prepared fabric enters the steam-filled process chamber through the transverse entrance and exit slot or mouthpiece usual for such a chamber through which it passes in continuous length and in open width.

The present invention contemplates the maintenance of a two phase water control balance in a process chamber of saturated steam, these process reactions take place on and in the prepared fabric within the steaming process chamber.

Two water phases are specified above. These are gaseous and liquid which in process readily interchange around 212 F.

The gaseous phase is largely supplied by the saturated steam passed through the air-free steaming process chamber.

T he liquid is provided directly as water to the prepared fabric as it passes in process through the chamber. Its function is to aid in the chemical reactions and the vatting, dyeing and discharging processes and also to absorb excess exotherrnic heat.

When assured that an adequate supply of additional moisture as liquid has been provided, it becomes possible and desirable to introduce a coordinating and controlled local addition of heat above 212 F. in order to further facilitate the reactions to completion.

The present invention aims to provide a smooth and rapid production process fully controllable with respect to the application of water and heat.

With this in mind, the invention is embodied in an apparatus to make available for the chemical and physical reactions involved, supplementary moisture as liquid by means of apparatus which shall be termed for the purpose of the application as a rotary heat exchange unit or units. This apparatus consists essentially of a cylindrical form or forms mounted for rotation within the steam processing chamber, each form having a spaced apart inside central section which by internal cooling maintains a wet external surface area designed to enable all over rolling contact to be made with the prepared material or fabric in its central running course in process through the air-free steaming chamber in active operation.

More specically, in accordance with the present invention, a preferred form of rotary heat exchange unit consists of a hollow metal cylinder of high heat conductivity which makes direct and rolling contact with the material or fabric in process through the chamber. It is mounted transversely for rotation parallel with all other rollers or cylinders with which the material or fabric makes contact.

The preferred construction of such a unit consists essentially of a metal cylinder somewhat similar to an ordinary textile drying cylinder made of copper, but mounted on spaced apart partitions on a shaft having tubular ends which protrude through opposite sides of the steaming chamber, the spaced apart partitions providing an inner cylindrical chamber or an annular ring through which cooling water below 212 F. may be passed by means of the tubular shaft ends, and thus providing a cool central cylindrical surface section within the steam chamber causing liquid condensed from the steam chamber atmosphere to become available for transfer by rolling contact to the material in its central course through the steaming chamber. `Control of the temperature of the circulating water through the unit will determine the amount of condensed liquid available for active use. Any heat exchange unit may be rendered inactive by cutting off its water supply.

In addition to and in accordance with the invention, heated rollers or cylinders or suitable diameter are mounted transversely Within the air-free steam chamber. The present heated roller units are disposed in staggered rationship with the heat exchange units so that the prepared textile material can pass continuously and alternatively over such units. More specifically, the rotary heat exchange units Will be preferably arranged along the lower part of the steam chamber with the control sections below 2l2 F. producing moisture for the chemical reactions, while the heated roller units will be arranged for coordination along the top section of the chamber. The heated roller units will be maintained at a controllable higher temperature up to or a little above 240 F. and both the heat exchange units and heated roller units can be individually controlled so as to vary as required the amount of moisture and the heat to be applied to the prepared material as it is passed in process through the air-free steaming chamber in direct rolling contact with all units. The heated roller units in presence of the moisture provided to the prepared material by the preceding heat exchange units will raise the temperature of reaction and thus of the dyeing and discharge processes facilitating their completion; it should be also noted that excess moisture will be evaporated to maintain the atmosphere of saturated steam in the chamber. Thus there is proceeding at the same time a physical cycle of steam-water-steam in operation. The water being condensed is eminently suitable for the processes involved.

This application is a continuation-in-part of United States application Serial Number 520,897, led July 8, 1955.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings showing by Way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic view on side elevation of a preferred steam chamber having alternate rotary heat exchange and heated roller units in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a View in end elevation of the construction shown in FIGURE l showing the end portions only.

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section of the construction shown in FIGURES l and 2 to illustrate an arrangement of alternate heat exchange and heated roller units.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed View partially in section of a typical heated roller unit in accordance with the invention, and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged diagrammatic View partially in section of a typical rotary heat exchange unit as previously described.

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic side view in section of u an air-free textile processing chamber wherein five rotary heat exchange units have been combined.

FIGURE 7 is a View in longitudinal section of a preferred rotary heat exchange unit of the primary type wherein the center portion is battled and both ends are open.

FIGURE 8 is a view in longitudinal section of a further preferred rotary heat exchange unit with an internal closed cylinder mounted in the center portion of the unit providing an internal annular ring for cooling uid circulation.

FIGURE 9 is a view in longitudinal section of a further preferred rotary heat exchange unit with an internal fluid conducting spiral coil forming the core for cooling circulation.

In FIGURE 1, the air-free steam or processing chamber 10 is shown diagrammatically wherein spaced apart rotary heat exchange units 12 are journalled for rotation between the side walls of the chamber 1() in an arrangement substantially along the lower portion of the chamber. In a corresponding straight line arrangement adjacent the upper portion of the chamber, there is mounted a spaced apart row of heated rollers 14 in accordance with the invention (see FIGURE 3). The rollers 14 are also mounted for rotation with means being provided to supply heat to the interior of the rollers as will be described in more detail later.

A plurality of spaced apart material supporting rollers 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 are also provided so as to support the run of the material after it passes over the processing rollers. As shown in FIGURES 2, 3, 4 and 5 for example the fabric A is guided about `the various rollers so as to be centrally disposed of the processing units in the axial direction. In the construction shown, saturated steam is introduced to the chamber through a perforated false bottom plate 22 (see FIGURE 3) mounted within the enclosure so as to maintain the necessary air-free steam atmosphere within the chamber.

In one preferred construction, see FIGURE 4, the heated rollers 14 are shown as comprising hollow cylinders closed at each end and supported on hollow shafts 39 mounted in suitable rotary bearings and couplings 32. Heated uid is provided through the conduits 34 and the shafts to the interior 36 of each heated roller 14. A control valve 35 is provided at each end of the roller 14 in the conduits 34. Since the atmosphere within the chamber is already at elevated temperature, about 212 F., the additional heat to the rollers 14 will be under thermostatic control to the temperature required.

As shown in detail in FIGURES 5, 7, 8 and 9, the f heat exchange units 12 are each provided with a cylindrical body partitioned transaxially with spaced partitions positioned adjacent each end. In this construction, as shown in FIGURE 5, the interior 42 of the units 12 is provided with hollow shafts 44 which are mounted in bearing and rotary joints 46. Fluid is supplied to the hollow shafts 44 through a conduit 48 controlled by a valve 50. In operation, uid of a lower temperature than that of steam filling the processing chamber is supplied to the center portion 42 of each of the heat exchange units 12. This, as is well known, causes condensation and provides a thin film of moisture on the exterior of the heat exchange cylinder which is transferred by direct contact to the material as it passes over these cylinders.

As shown in FIGURE 6, it is contemplated that the heat exchange units might be utilized without the heated rollers 14.

In the construction illustrated there are five such units indicated at 70a to 70e mounted in spaced apart relationship with the material guiding rollers 142, 144, 146, 148, 150, 152, 154, 156, 158, 160, 162, 164, 166, so that the material in part is guided by the rollers and in part by the roller units 70a to 79e. This brings the outer peripheral surfaces of each of the cooling units into rolling contact with the material as it is being processed so that the moisture formed products of condensation, in this case water, are brought into reactive contact with the prepared material during the heat generating chemical reactions. Steam is introduced through a perforated bottom plate 121 mounted within the chamber 140.

With particular reference to FIGURES 7, 8 and 9, three alternative constructions of the rotary type of heat exchange unit are shown in section. The construction shown in FIGURE 7 is of the basic type indicated at 12 and previously described. In operation, fluid of a lower temperature than that of the steam filling the processing chamber is supplied to the center portion of the unit. The outer ends 77, 79 are open to the atmosphere of the enclosure so that in effect three zones of varying temperature are created. The ends 77, 79 reach a temperature the same as the atmosphere of the charnber, the center portion 75 is cooled by the fluid passing therethrough to a temperature below the atmosphere of the enclosure and the portions of the unit intervening the ends, and the center portion, at the partitions 72, 74, has a temperature intermediate the temperature of the ends and center.

The construction shown in FIGURE 8 acts in a similar manner with the difference that a further cylindrical baille 80 is mounted concentrically of the center portion of the unit body 170. The partitions 172, 174 are the same in location and construction as previously described and the hollow shafts 176, 178 are adapted to pass uid by means of the openings 151, 153 through the center portion 175 of the unit between the outer surface of the bafe 80 and the inner surface of the cylinder 170.

The construction shown in FIGURE 9 is also of similar design and function. In this case, the cylindrical unit or body 270 is provided with partitions 272, 274 as before and a spiral coil 290 is mounted within the center portion 275 with the outer ends passing out through the hollow shafts 276, 278. A suitable coolant fluid can be pumped through the coil 29) producing the effective three zones of temperature to the cylindrical body 270 as described.

It will be appreciated that in all cases the cylinders are not under a pressure load and that the liuid used as a cooling medium merely flows into and out of the center portions to give the desired reduction in temperature. It should be mentioned that while the cylinder units are preferably made of copper since this material has a high degree of heat conductivity, other metals having similar properties of heat conduction would be suitable.

The principal advantage of the rotary type unit of the invention is that the metal heat exchange cylinder employed is a unit having three external sections of differing surface temperatures:

(a) A hot dry section at each end (at steam temperature).

(b) A cool wet phase represented by the cylinder center section (maintained as a rotary heat exchange section below 212 F.).

(c) A merger phase section intermediate the hot and cool phase Where the moisture tapers olf from the cool phase to the hot phase.

As shown most clearly in FIGURES 2 and 5, the fabric A as it proceeds through the chamber comes into cornplete contact with the cool wet center portion of each heat exchange unit with the selvedges located on the merger sections.

Preferably, in accordance with the invention, the heated roller units 14 are supplied with heated uid so that their exterior surfaces are controlled at a temperature above 212 F. and up to or above 240 F. This ensures that the surfaces of the rollers 14 are dry and due to their higher temperatures, are adapted to exert heating action to the material passing around each unit after moisture has been alternately supplied by the heat exchange units.

Accordingly, since the units 12 and 14 are arranged in staggered relationship, a web of prepared textile material when fed through the entry 60 of the steam chamber 10 and alternately over the rollers 12, 14 as shown, will be subjected to an alternate moistening and heating process which will in conjunction with the air-free steam considerably accelerate the chemical and physical reactions required to complete the dyeing and/or discharging of the prepared material.

As will be appreciated, the number of units 12 and 14 or 170 and 270 initially installed can be varied to suit the maximum requirements to which the textile material is to be subjected, and as the units can be individually controlled, a greater or lesser degree of moisture can be applied by the heat exchange units 12, and a greater or lesser `heating action can be performed by the heated units 14.

This arrangement provides a great versatility in moisture and temperature control as applied to air-free steaming of prepared textile materials which has not hitherto been possible in the prior art structures available up to the present time.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for the controlled forming of supplementary moisture and the supply of supplementary heat in the treating of prepared textile fabrics for the controlled acceleration and completion of the chemical and physical reactions involved in the steaming process development comprising in combination a steaming process chamber, a plurality of three-phase rotary heat exchange units mounted within said chamber, each of said units consisting of a hollow cylindrical body of metal having a high degree of heat conductivity with uid conduit members leading into and out of said body at opposite ends, and partition means disposed within the interior of said body in spaced apart relationship dividing the interior of said body in the axial direction into three separate sections of varying surface temperature under operating conditions, and being adapted to provide extra moisture by direct supporting and rolling contact with the material being processed, a plurality of rollers mounted within said chamber, means to heat said roller to temperatures up to and slightly above 240 F. and being adapted to provide extra heat by direct supporting and rolling contact with the material being processed, a plurality of material supporting and guiding rollers mounted within said chamber, all of said heat exchange cylinder units and heated rollers being mounted parallel and in spaced relationship with each other and the said material guiding and supporting rollers within said chamber, and a source of steam connected to said chamber adapted to supply a continuous ilow of saturated steam during all process times.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said heat exchange units are mounted for rotation within the said chamber.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Jacoby June 9, 1953 

